Sunday, February 28, 2016

Sunday Premier League: Arsenal fall of title pace at Old Trafford, Spurs come back over Swansea

Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United
With last weekend giving us FA Cup matches, Arsenal's dramatic win feels like a distant memory, even though that was their last Premier League contest. Now, the Gunners take on Manchester United in a fixture that has always given us plenty of entertainment. After nearly a half hour of the two sides feeling each other out, Manchester United's sudden starlet Marcus Rashford sprung into action. Inn the 29tg minute, after Gabriel missed a sliding intervention on a low cross, Rashford pounced on the loose ball to hammer it in. He struck again three minutes later with his second goal in as many Premier League shots. Arsenal would not go down without a fight however. Danny Welbeck, in a moment that called back to his late winner two weeks ago, headed home a 40th minute free kick to cut into the deficit.

Arsenal was pressuring at the beginning of the second half, but not really looking like scoring. Then their comeback plans took a hit when Ander Herrera fired a shot that deflected off Laurent Koscielny into the top corner in the 65th minute. Arsenal struck right back to keep the game alive. Mesut Ozil bounced one in of a rebound inn the 69th to get the Gunners back within a goal. They were never able too really organize another attack for the rest of the match. United's defense was too stout for their lifeless pushed forward too penetrate.

As a result, Arsenal now find themselves five points off the title race and down in third by three thanks to the result below.

Tottenham 2-1 Swansea City
Swansea took the early lead on the other North London team with an opportune strike from the outside of the six yard box by Alberto Paloschi in the 19th minute. It took Spurs until the 70th minute to equalize. Nacer Chadli was the last too touch a pinballing shot through the penalty area. It was all Spurs from that point on. Danny Rose found the winner off a corner inn the 77th minute to give Tottenham full control over second place, two points back of Leicester at the top.